The UIPA Framework for Honolulu County Public Records
HRS Chapter 92F, the Uniform Information Practices Act, governs Honolulu County public records held by state and county agencies. HRS § 92F-11 lists agency disclosure responsibilities. HRS § 92F-12 lists categories that must be disclosed, subject to statutory limits. HRS § 92F-13 lists exceptions that allow withholding for privacy, frustration of government functions, or other protected interests. The Office of Information Practices issues guidance, advisory opinions, and reviews denials.
Court records do not run under UIPA. The Hawaiʻi Court Records Rules and the Judiciary's own access rules govern Honolulu County court files. For court records, see the Honolulu County court records page. For agency records, this page is the starting point.
HPD Records and Police Reports
The Honolulu Police Department holds a range of Honolulu County public records, from arrest logs to police reports to body-worn-camera material. The HPD police records page sets the procedure. Records and Identification Division sits at 801 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Records questions go to (808) 723-3258, Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Police reports: request by mail or in person with HPD Records Division - Records Request.
- Body-worn-camera video: email submission and color copy of government-issued ID showing involvement.
- Adult arrest summary: request through HCJDC at 465 S. King Street, Room 102, Honolulu, HI 96813, (808) 587-3279.
- Adult arrest logs: public for inspection; older logs require written request.
- Mug photos: referred to Records and Identification Division under HPD photograph release policy.
The HPD police reports page shown below sets the official procedure for Honolulu County public records held by HPD.
HPD policy distinguishes between routine reports, body camera material, mug photos, and HCJDC-handled arrest summaries.
DOH Vital Records
The Hawaii Department of Health holds birth, marriage, civil union, and death certificates as state vital records. The DOH vital records page sits at 1250 Punchbowl Street, Room 103, Honolulu, HI 96813. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Marriage License Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Certified vital records are limited to applicants with a direct and tangible interest. The eligibility list includes the registrant, the registrant's spouse, a parent, a descendant, a person with a common ancestor, a legal guardian, a person or agency acting on behalf of the registrant, and other legally authorized requestors. Effective February 1, 2026, DOH no longer maintains divorce records; people must contact the court where the divorce was granted.
The DOH birth and marriage certificate page shown below covers eligibility, payment, and processing for Honolulu County vital records.
The page is the controlling source for certified Honolulu County vital records and is updated by DOH.
HCJDC Criminal History and Covered Offender Registry
The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center runs CJIS-Hawaii, the statewide AFIS fingerprint system, the eCrim conviction information service, and the covered offender registry. eCrim charges $5 per search and $10 per record. The covered offender registry is reCAPTCHA-protected and uses statewide data under HRS Chapter 846E. Honolulu County public records related to criminal history go through HCJDC rather than HPD.
HCJDC sits at 465 S. King Street, Room 102, Honolulu, HI 96813. Inquiries go to (808) 587-3279.
How to File a Honolulu County Public Records Request
- Identify the agency that holds the record. UIPA covers state and county agencies; the court system uses its own rules.
- Check the agency website for a records request form or process. HPD, DOH, and HCJDC each publish forms.
- Submit the request in writing with as much detail as possible: subject names, dates, report numbers, case IDs, addresses, and the specific record needed.
- Include payment for any search, review, segregation, copy, and transmission fees the agency charges.
- Track agency response timelines under UIPA and OIP rules.
- If denied, request an OIP review or pursue judicial enforcement.
Each agency may charge fees for search, review, segregation, copying, and transmission under OIP rules. Fee waivers exist for some requests in the public interest. The agency must explain the basis for any withholding or redaction.
Honolulu County Public Records Request Field Inventory
A complete public records request to a Honolulu County or state agency usually carries the fields below. The exact form varies by agency, but the substance matches across HPD, DOH, HCJDC, and city departments.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requestor name | Text | Yes | Person submitting the request. |
| Address / contact | Text | Yes | Mailing address, phone, and email. |
| Record description | Text | Yes | Subject, dates, names, case or report numbers. |
| Format preference | Checkbox | Optional | Paper, electronic, certified, mailed. |
| Relationship to record | Text | Conditional | Required for restricted records like vital records or BWC footage. |
| ID copy | Document | Conditional | HPD BWC requests require color copy of government ID. |
| Signature / date | Signature | Yes | Request certification. |
| Payment | Check / card | Conditional | Search, copy, certification, transmission fees. |
Honolulu County Public Records Fees
UIPA fees vary by agency. HPD, DOH, HCJDC, and city departments each set their own copy schedules. The table below covers the most common Honolulu County public records fees that the public encounters.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| eCrim search fee | $5 |
| eCrim record fee | $10 |
| Court regular copy, 1-30 pages | $3 flat |
| Court each page over 30 | $0.10 |
| Court certification surcharge | $2 per document |
| UIPA agency fees | Vary by agency and request |
Agencies may waive UIPA fees in the public interest. Court fees are mandated by Judiciary rules and do not normally permit waivers outside of indigent-status motions.
UIPA Exceptions and Confidential Records
Not every Honolulu County public records request must be granted. HRS § 92F-13 allows withholding when disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, frustrate a legitimate government function, conflict with another law, or fall under other statutory exemptions. Investigative records, juvenile information, mental health information, and Rule 9 protected data are common exclusions.
OIP reviews denials and issues advisory opinions. A requestor who is told no can ask OIP for written guidance or seek judicial enforcement.
The HPD photograph release policy shown below explains how mug photos and nonconviction data work together under UIPA and HRS Chapter 846.
The policy treats mug photos as public under OIP precedent while limiting nonconviction-data dissemination through HRS Chapter 846.